14th P2P Global Ethiopian Diaspora Conference on health Care and Medical Education – Speakers and Panelists

 

Seble Frehywot, MD, MHSA
Dr. Seble Frehywot is a Professor of Global Health and Health Policy in the Department of Global Health and the Department of Health Policy & Management at The George Washington University (GWU). Currently, she is also the Director of Health Equity On-Line Learning for the Atlantic Philanthropy Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program and the co-founder of the IT for Health and Education System Equity (ITfHESE) Initiative. She has twenty-five years of experience in international settings spanning Asia, Africa, and the United States, and brings an in-depth knowledge of comparative health systems, communities of practice (CoP), medicine, health policy, and e-learning to the challenges of building the components of a health system. Her main work focus is in lower and middle-income countries. She has comprehensive knowledge of digital health technologies acquired and honed from over ten years of background in digital health education and technologies in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). She also has a hands-on background in strategically coordinating with the public, other sectors, and health systems stakeholders (government ministries, academia, non-governmental organizations, regulating bodies, and the private sector) with regard to health equity issues surrounding health workforce training, quality, and safety regulatory frameworks, pedagogy, e-pedagogy, and e-andragogy. Dr. Frehywot has worked as a Technical Core Group member for the World Health Organization for the development of a number of WHO global guidelines and recommendations related to health systems, namely, the "Task-shifting Global Recommendation and Guidelines," the "Increasing Access to Health Workers in Remote and Rural Areas through Improved Retention," the "Transformative Scaling-up of Medical and Nursing and Midwifery Education Guidelines" and the "Optimizing the Delivery of Key Interventions to attain MDG 4 and 5 Guidelines." Also, she serves in a technical capacity on the WHO Digital Health Roster and the WHO Digital Education for Building Heath Workforce Initiatives. She has provided senior-level influence as a principal investigator and director for numerous multimillion-dollar international projects, including being a PI for the United States funded Medical Education Partnership Initiative Coordinating Center (MEPI-CC) and has published a number of papers related to the health workforce and health systems as well as to the linkages with ICT. She teaches at The George Washington University both in an online and residential format the Global Comparative Health Systems, Global Health and Development, and Global Public Health Culminated Experience courses.
Ann Fitz-Gerald, PhD
Ann Fitz-Gerald is a Professor of International Security and the Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Canada. Prior to this appointment in 2019, she was the Director, Defence and Security Leadership, Cranfield University where she held a Chair in Security Sector Management. She completed degrees in Commerce (BComm), Political Science (B.A), War Studies (M.A) and a PhD. Following an initial career in the financial sector, she worked at the International Lester B Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and at the North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly. During her time at both NATO and the Parliamentary Assembly, she focused on the accession strategies of Central and East European countries. She moved to the UK and completed her PhD in 2001. In 2006, she designed and developed the Masters programme in Security Sector Management, which is delivered in both in the UK and East Africa.</p> <p>Ann has advised, and has been seconded to work with, Governments of a number of transitional countries on issues relating to national security policy/strategy issues (including Nigeria, Ukraine, Poland, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Albania, Montenegro and The Gambia). In 2011, Ann supported the AU High Implementation Panel during the post-referendum peace talks between North and South Sudan (security issues).</p> <p>In November 2012, the Government of Canada awarded Ann with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to post-conflict resolution and dialogue. Since 2013, she has served as a Senior Security and Justice Adviser to the UK Government and is a member of the United Nation's Rule of Law and Security Institutions' expert roster.
Ashenafi Tazebew, MD
Dr. Ashenafi is an Assistant professor of Pediatrics and child health at the University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health sciences (CMHS). He is involved in teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the University. He also serves as a post graduate and research coordinator in his department. His responsibilities as the coordinator include community outreach and engagement, proposal development, grants management, evaluation, project coordination, and supervision of staff and postgraduate students.
Honorable Berhanu Nega
Professor Berhanu Nega is the Minister of Education of Ethiopia. He did his undergraduate degree in economics at the State University of New York at New Paltz and got his PhD in economics from the New School for Social Research, in New York City. During that time, he became one of the organizers of an annual conference on the "Horn of Africa" that debated and analyzed the political, social and economic conditions in the sub-region. For over five years, it served as a forum for intellectual dialogue among political leaders, policy analysts and researchers interested in developments in that part of Africa.<br /> Having completed his PhD studies, he joined the faculty of economics at Bucknell University, where he became a lecturer in economics for three years. Later he founded Imbilta, a bi-monthly magazine focusing on economic, political, social and current affairs in Ethiopia and he was the founding chairman of Ethiopian Economic Association.
Honorable Liya Tadesse, MD
Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin became the Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in March 2020. Prior to this appointment, she served as State Minister of Health since November 2018, leading the national health programs under the Health Sector Transformation Strategy.<br /> Dr. Lia is an obstetrician and gynecologist with extensive experience as a clinician, in health care leadership, academia, and hospital and program management, with over 20 years' experience.<br /> Prior to joining the ministry of health, Dr. Lia Tadesse served as Program Director at the University of Michigan's Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has successfully partnered with several institutions, in both Ethiopia and Rwanda, to increase the quality of reproductive health services and training.<br /> Serving as the CEO and Vice Provost of St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa for seven years, Dr Lia led the hospital's services and academic reforms, including forging collaborative relationships with several national and international stakeholders. Dr. Lia was also Project Director of USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) at Jhpiego-Ethiopia prior to joining CIRHT after leaving SPHMMC.<br /> Dr. Lia's passion is strengthening and reforming health systems, and she has received recognition for her accomplishments and advocacy for gender equity in access to quality health services and training.<br /> Dr. Lia Tadesse earned her medical degree from Jimma University, specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology from Addis Ababa University, and a master's degree in health care administration from Jimma University
H.E Amb. Seleshi Bekele Awulachew
H.E Ambassador Seleshi Bekele Awulachew is the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of FDR Ethiopia to the USA. He is also a member of Parliament. He has extensively worked in ministerial and senior-level positions in national, regional and international institutions. His rich public service experiences are listed below.<br /> October 2021 to January 2022: Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and Chief Negotiator of Transboundary Water and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at a Minister level. He retains the Chief Negotiator on GERD role at a Minister level besides the Ambassadorial functions,<br /> 2016 - 2021, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy,<br /> 2014-2016, Senior Inter-Regional Advisor at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in New York,<br /> 2010-2014, African Climate Policy Center (ACPC) of UNECA, as Senior Water and Climate Change Specialist,<br /> 2004-2010, Regional Representative and Head for International Water Management Institute (IWMI),<br /> 2001-2004 Dean and Leader of Arbaminch Water Technology Institute (AWTI), which he built it to be a full-fledged university.<br /> Lecturer and head of institutional research (1991-1995) and Graduate Assistant (1987-1989)<br /> Ambassador Seleshi has published over 30 referred articles, book chapters and books, over 60 research reports and working papers, and numerous conference papers and lecture materials. He served as a Resident/Guest Professor at various universities in Ethiopia and abroad. Served as a board member of universities, research organizations and business companiesAmbassador Seleshi is married with two sons. Ambassador Seleshi enjoys reading and playing basketball.
Abiy Debay
Abiy Debay is the Director for Accreditation at the Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency. Mr. Abiy worked at Dessie Health science college after earning his MSc in Environmental science/Geology from Addis Ababa University. He has published on Land use/Landcover Dynamics and Soil Erosion Risk Analysis for Sustainable Land Management.
Ayano Berasso Hula, Ph.D.
Dr. Ayano Berasso is the president of Hawassa University.
Dawit Teklu, PhD
Duguma Adugna Debele, PhD
Dr Duguma Adugna Debele is the President of Arsi University. He worked as the dean of Agriculture at Jimma University and was the founding president of Selale University. Dr. Adugna earned a degree in plant science and a master's degree in Horticulture from Haramaya university. He did his PhD at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).</p> <p>Dr. Duguma received the "2021 LEADS Africa's Patriotic Academic Award " in the Higher Education Leadership category. He also received "A Rising Star in Leadership Award" in 2019 from P2P. He was also appointed by Man Hee Lee HWPL Peace Advocate as a member of the HWPL Peace Advisory Council. Dr. Duguma has published a number of scholarly works.
Faris Delil, PhD
Dr. Faris Delil is the president of Wolkite University. He inaugurated the “Zero Plan” center, a center that works on Gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancy. Dr. Faris Delil was the guest of honor at the International Conference on “Indo African Businesses-Strategic Perspective”
Petros W. Woldesenbet, PhD
Dr. Woldesenbet is the president of Bonga university. He has worked as the Director of communication at the Ministry of Education. Dr. Woldesenbet is the author of “Pastoralism /Nomadism/ and Education in Ethiopia: The Case of Surma.”<br /> Dr. Woldesenbet earned his degree in History from Addis Ababa University. He did his Ph.D. in Sociology of Education at Tampere university.
Tesfaye Mersha, PhD
Tesfaye Mersha is a professor at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, where he leads the Population Genetics, Ancestry and Bioinformatics Laboratory. His research combines quantitative, ancestry and statistical genomics to unravel genetic and non-genetic contributions to complex diseases and racial disparities in human populations, particularly asthma and asthma-related allergic disorders.<br /> Mersha is a recognized expert in the field of genetic ancestry, race, admixture mapping and mining functional genomic databases related to complex diseases. Among his significant contributions, his team developed AncestrySNPminer, the first web-based bioinformatics tool to retrieve ancestry-informative markers from the genomic databases.<br /> He has received multiple awards and honors, including a Faculty Research Achievement Award from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and African Professionals Network Business and Professional Achievement Award.
Yeshi Gebremariam, MSN, RN
Yeshi Gebremariam is an experienced Public Health and Critical Care Nurse with a demonstrated history of working in the biotechnology industry. She is skilled in Public Health, Research, Critical Care Nursing, and Leadership. Yeshi earned a Master's degree in Public Health from Grand Canyon University.
Yonas E. Geda, M.D.
Dr. Yonas E. Geda is a Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry. He is a Consultant in the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, and Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic. Following a formal search process, Dr. Geda was recently named Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion for all the 5 colleges/ schools at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Geda earned his doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree from Addis Ababa (Haile Selassie) University, and subsequently pursued his trainings in Psychiatry, Behavioral Neurology, and a Master's of Science (MSc) degree in biomedical sciences at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His research examines the impact of lifestyle factors and neuropsychiatric symptoms on brain aging and mild cognitive impairment. He has published over 115 peer reviewed papers in major journals including in Neurology, JAMA Neurology, JAMA Psychiatry and American Journal of Psychiatry. Dr. Geda has several institutional, national and international leadership roles. He is a member of the Science Committee of the French Alzheimer's research group (Groupe de Recherche sur la maladie d'Alzheimer; GRAL). He is the current chair of the award committee of the Neuropsychiatric syndromes professional interest area (PIA) of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). He is a recipient of many awards, including a medal from the City of Marseille, France in 2003, and from the City of La Ciotat, France in 2016 for his contributions to the field of Alzheimer's research.<br /> As a resident, he won the prestigious Mayo Brother's Distinguished Fellowship Award.